Laser line generating device

ABSTRACT

A laser beam generating device is provided for generating multiple mutually orthogonal light beams. The device includes a laser light generator that generates at least three output beams. A beamsplitter of the laser light generator has two incident surfaces orientated at forty-five degrees in relation to an optical axis. A first portion of a light from a light source is incident on a first of the two incident surfaces and output as a first output beam in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis. A second portion of the light is incident on a second of the two incident surfaces and output as a second output beam in a second direction opposite the first direction. The light source is arranged in relation to the beamsplitter such that a third portion of the light bypasses the beamsplitter and forms a third output beam projected parallel to the optical axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 14/251,189,entitled LASER LINE GENERATING DEVICE, filed Apr. 11, 2014, which ishereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a laser beam generating device forgenerating multiple mutually orthogonal light beams.

BACKGROUND

A laser beam generating device is commonly used in the constructionindustry for alignment and measurement of construction layouts. Aconventional laser beam generating device generates multiple light beamsusing an optical system. The optical system may include a light sourcewhich generates a light beam and a beamsplitter for splitting the lightbeam into multiple beams. The beams are typically orthogonal to anotherbeam and/or directed in a direction opposite to another beam.

In an effort to employ a minimal number of components, an optical systemfor a laser light generating device may include a specializedbeamsplitter. For example, the specialized beamsplitter may includemultiple pieces which are joined together for generating five orthogonallight beams from a single light source. Although the laser lightgenerating device may employ a minimal number of components for theoptical system, the complexity of such an optical system and specializedbeamsplitter may result in a bulky and expensive laser beam generatingdevice.

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

A laser beam generating device for emitting multiple mutually orthogonallight beams is comprised of a housing and a laser light generator. Thehousing may have an opening for emitting each generated the light beam.

In an exemplary embodiment, the laser light generator is disposed in thehousing and is operable to generate three output beams. The laser lightgenerator includes a light source projecting light along an optical axistoward a beamsplitter, and a collimating lens interposed on the opticalaxis between the light source and the beamsplitter. The beamsplitter hastwo incident surfaces orientated at forty-five degrees in relation tothe optical axis and at ninety degrees to each other. A first portion ofthe light from the light source is incident on a first of the twoincident surfaces and reflected from the first surface as a first outputbeam in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis. A secondportion of the light from the light source is incident on a second ofthe two incident surfaces and reflected from the second surface as asecond output beam in a second direction opposite the first direction.The light source is arranged in relation to the beamsplitter such that athird portion of the light from the light source bypasses thebeamsplitter and forms a third output beam projected parallel to theoptical axis.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example laser beam generating device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a leveling mechanism and a laser lightgenerator of the laser beam generating device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2 depicting components of theleveling mechanism and the laser light generator;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the laser light generator;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of a three beam generator of thelaser light generator;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views of a two beam generator of thelaser light generator;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example beamsplitter having atruncated triangular shape;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example beamsplitter having atriangular shape;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the laser light generator including thebeamsplitter of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9B is a top view of the three beam generator of the laser lightgenerator of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a side view of the two beam generator of the laser lightgenerator of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the laser light generator includingreflective mirrors as a beamsplitter;

FIG. 10B is a top view of the three beam generator of the laser lightgenerator of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C is a side view of the two beam generator of the laser lightgenerator of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11 is perspective view of an example beamsplitter having a filmwith non-reflective properties and a reflective area;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the laser light generator having thebeamsplitter of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the laser light generator including ashaping member disposed after a beamsplitter;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a three hole shaping member for thethree beam generator of the laser light generator of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a two hole shaping member for the twobeam generator of the laser light generator of FIG. 13.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, an example ofa laser beam generating device 10 of the present disclosure is nowpresented. The laser beam generating device 10 generates multipleorthogonal light beams which are self-leveled when the laser beamgenerating device 10 rests on a support surface.

The laser beam generating device 10 includes a housing 12, a laser lightgenerator 14, and a leveling mechanism 16. The housing 12 may includemultiple pieces which form a cavity when joined together. The laserlight generator 14 and the leveling mechanism 16 are disposed within thehousing 12. The housing 12 defines multiple openings 18 each foremitting a generated light beam.

In the example embodiment, the laser light generator 14 emits up to fivelight beams along five directions. The laser light generator 14 includesa three beam generator 20, a two beam generator 22, an automatic powercontrol (APC) circuit 21, and a power source (not shown). The three beamgenerator 20 emits three light beams and the two beam generator 22 emitstwo light beams, as described below. The APC circuit 21 controls thepower provided to the generators 20, 22 from the power source. The powersource may be, for example, one or more batteries.

The laser beam generating device 10 may be turned ON/OFF via a switch 23disposed along the housing 12. The switch 23 is electrically coupled tothe power source, which is electrically coupled to the APC circuit 21.Accordingly, when the switch 23 is placed in the ON position, the powersource provides power to the APC circuit 21 which supplies power to oneor both of the generators 20, 22.

As an alternative to turning on both the three beam generator 20 and thetwo beam generator 22, the switch 23 and the APC circuit 21 may beconfigured to select and turn on a specific number of beams from thelaser beam generating device 10. For example, the switch 23 may includea three-beam, a two-beam and five-beam setting. Accordingly, when theswitch 23 is set to three beams, the APC circuit 21 supplies power tothe three beam generator 20 and not the two beam generator 22. On theother hand, when the switch 23 is set to two beams, the APC circuit 21supplies power to the two beam generator 22 and not the three beamgenerator 20. Furthermore, when the switch 23 is set to five beams theAPC circuit 21 supplies power to the three beam generator 20 and the twobeam generator 22. Once power is provided, the three beam generator 20and/or the two beam generator 22 emit their respective light beams.

The laser light generator 14 is coupled to the leveling mechanism 16.The leveling mechanism 16 levels an optical axis 25 of the laser lightgenerator 14 (optical axis 25 shown in FIG. 4). The leveling mechanism16 includes a chassis 24 and a gimbal assembly 26. The chassis 24 housesthe laser light generator 14. For example, the chassis 24 may definemultiple bores 28 which hold the three beam generator 20 and the twobeam generator 22. The APC circuit 21 and the power source may also behoused by or coupled to the chassis 24. While the bores 28 are depictedas one bore on top of the other, the bores may be arranged differentlybased on the configuration of the three beam generator 20 and two beamgenerator 22.

The gimbal assembly 26 pivotally couples the chassis 24 to the housing12. In the example embodiment, the gimbal assembly 26 includes aplurality of bearings 30, at least two pins 32, and a gimbal frame 34.The gimbal frame 34 is fixedly coupled to the housing 12. The chassis 24is rotatably coupled to the gimbal frame 34 via the pins 32 and thebearings 30. Accordingly, when the laser beam generating device 10 restsupon a support surface, the leveling mechanism 16 ensures that thechassis 24 is plumb, thereby leveling the optical axis 25 of the laserlight generator 14. While a particular leveling mechanism is depicted,it would be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other levelingmechanism may be employed.

The leveling mechanism 16 may also include a lock mechanism (not shown)for enabling and disabling the self-leveling function of the levelingmechanism 16. For example, when the lock mechanism is engaged, theleveling mechanism may be in a manual state. In the manual state, theposition of the chassis 24 is fixed, thereby disabling the pivotablemotion for leveling the optical axis 25. On the other hand, when thelock mechanism is disengaged, the leveling mechanism 16 is in aself-leveling state in which the chassis 24 is pivotable and, thus,levels the optical axis 25.

The leveling mechanism 16 may also include a leveling indicator (notshown). The leveling indicator triggers an alarm when the levelingmechanism 16 reaches an end of its leveling range. For example, theleveling indicator may emit a sound, turn on a warning light, and/orprovide other suitable signals.

The laser beam generating device 10 may be placed on and/or coupled to asurface. More particularly, the laser beam generating device 10 mayinclude an attachment portion. For example, the attachment portion maybe powered magnets which use magnetic force to couple to a surface, suchas a beam, ceiling, etc. In addition to or in lieu of the poweredmagnets, the attachment portion may also include multiple legs thatextend from a base of the housing 12. The legs elevate the housing 12from the surface on which the laser beam generating device 10 ispositioned by a predetermined distance.

In operation, the laser beam generating device 10 is positioned on asurface, such as a beam, ceiling, floor, etc. Based on the position ofthe laser beam generating device 10, the leveling mechanism 16 may levelthe optical axis 25 of the laser light generator 14. When the switch 23is placed in the ON position, the laser beam generation device 10 emitsmultiple light beams along multiple directions. As visual indicators,the light beams extend in air as straight lines along mutuallyorthogonal axes and form a marker, such as a dot, on a surface that thelight beam is incident on. In addition, based on a setting of the switch23, the laser beam generating device 10 may emit two light beams, threelight beams, or five light beams via the laser light generator 14.

With reference to FIGS. 4-7, an example of the laser light generator 14is presented. For purposes of clarity, the figures may depict a dottedline to represent a given light beam in lieu of a beam, where the dottedline represents an axis of the light beam. The laser light generator 14may emit three light beams via the three beam generator 20, two lightbeams via the two beam generator 22, or five light beams via both thethree beam generator 20 and the two beam generator 22. The light beamsemitted by the laser light generator 14 are orientated and aligned so asto appear to be originating from a common point 40.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the three beam generator 20 and the two beamgenerator 22 include a light source 50, collimating lens 52, a shapingmember 54, and a beamsplitter 56. For ease of explanation, the directionof the light beams generated by the laser light generator 14 may bedescribed with reference to a coordinate system provided in the figures.

The light source 50 projects a light 58 along the optical axis 25 whichis parallel to the y-axis. The light source 50 emits the light 58 towardthe beamsplitter 56. The light source 50 may be a laser diode or othersuitable light emitting source.

The collimating lens 52 is disposed between the light source 50 and thebeamsplitter 56 along the optical axis 25. The collimating lens 52receives the light 58 and outputs a collimated light beam 62.

Each generator 20, 22 includes a shaping member 54. In this exemplaryembodiment, the shaping member 54 is disposed between the collimatinglens 52 and the beamsplitter 56. The shaping member 54 defines at leastone aperture through which a portion of the collimated light beam 62passes. The apertures convert the collimated light beam 62 into multipleincident light beams 64 having a symmetrical cross-section. For example,as shown in FIG. 5A, the three beam generator 20 may include athree-hole shaping member 54 a that forms three light beams 64 a, 64 b,64 c. These portions of the collimated light beam 62 a have a circularcross-section. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6A, the two beam generator22 may include a two-hole shaping member 54 b that forms two light beams64 d, 64 e. These portions of the collimated light beam 62 b have acircular cross-section. While the apertures of the shaping member 54 aredepicted as having a circular shape, other suitable shapes may be usedto define the aperture.

For ease of explanation of the beamsplitter 56, when referring to thecollimated light beam 62 in the following description, the collimatedlight beam 62 may also refer to the light beams 64 from the shapingmember 54.

The beamsplitter 56 receives the collimated light beam 62 and splits thecollimated light beam 62 into multiple light beams. With regard to thethree beam generator 20, the light source 50 a and the beamsplitter 56 aof the three beam generator 20 are arranged and aligned with respect toeach other such that the collimated light beam 62 a is split into threelight beams 64 a, 64 b, 64 c (FIG. 5A). With regard to the two beamgenerator 22, the light source 50 b and the beamsplitter 56 b arearranged and aligned with respect to each other such that the collimatedlight beam 62 b is split into two light beams 64 d, 64 e (FIG. 6A).

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, the beamsplitter 56 a of the three beamgenerator 20 is arranged such that some of the collimated light beam 62a is incident to the beamsplitter 56 a and some of the collimated lightbeam 62 a bypasses the beamsplitter 56 a. Specifically, the beamsplitter56 a has two incident surfaces (a first surface 66 a and a secondsurface 68 a) orientated at forty five degrees with respect to theoptical axis 25 a (y-axis) and ninety degrees with respect to eachother. A first portion of the collimated light beam 62 a (i.e., lightbeam 64 a) is incident on the first surface 66 a. The first portion 64 ais reflected by the first surface 66 a as a first output beam 70 a. Thefirst output beam 70 a projects along a first direction orthogonal tothe optical axis 25 a. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the firstdirection is parallel to the x-axis. A second portion of the collimatedlight beam 62 a (i.e., light beam 64 b) is incident on the secondsurface 68 a. The second portion 64 b is reflected by the second surface68 a as a second output beam 70 b. The second output beam 70 b projectsalong a second direction which is opposite to the first direction,parallel to the x-axis.

The beamsplitter 56 a is arranged such that a third portion of thecollimated light beam 62 a (i.e., light beam 64 c) bypasses thebeamsplitter 56 a and is a third output beam 64 c. The third output beam64 c projects parallel to the optical axis 25 a, and is, therefore,orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. Thus, thethird output beam 64 c is emitted from the three beam generator 20without passing through and/or being incident on the beamsplitter 56 a.

With reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, the beamsplitter 56 b of the two beamgenerator 22 is arranged such that substantially all of the collimatedlight beam 62 b is incident on the two surfaces 66 b, 68 b. Moreparticularly, a first portion of the collimated light beam 62 b (i.e.,light beam 64 d) is incident on the first surface 66 b of thebeamsplitter 56 b. The first portion 64 d is reflected by the firstsurface 66 b as a fourth output beam 70 c. The fourth output beam 70 cprojects along a fourth direction orthogonal to the optical axis 25 b(y-axis). For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the fourth direction isparallel to the z-axis. A second portion of the collimated light beam 62b (i.e., light beam 64 e) is incident on the second surface 68 b of thebeamsplitter 56 b. The second portion 64 e is reflected by the secondsurface 68 b as a fifth output beam 70 d. The fifth output beam 70 dprojects along a fifth direction opposite to the fourth direction,parallel to the z-axis.

In the example embodiment, the three beam generator 20 is arranged aboveand slightly offset from the two beam generator 22. It will beappreciated by one skilled in the art that the three beam generator 20and the two beam generator 22 of the laser light generator 14 may bearranged in other suitable configurations and is not limited to theconfiguration depicted. In addition, while a particular direction forthe light beams is depicted in the figures, the three beam generator 20and the two beam generator 22 may be configured to generate the threelight beams and the two light beams, respectively, in directionsdifferent from the ones depicted.

With reference to FIG. 7, the beamsplitter 56 may be a prism having atruncated triangular cross-section 89 (area within solid lines). Forexample, the beamsplitter 56 may have surfaces 90, 92, 94, 96. Thesurfaces 90, 92, 94, 96 form the truncated triangular cross-section 89.Surfaces 90, 94, and 96 may be viewed as the three sides of a triangularprism. A portion of the triangular prism is removed to form truncatedsurface 92. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the portion trimmed fromthe triangular prism is a truncated area 98 (area within the dottedlines).

With reference to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 7, with the truncated triangularcross-section 89, the beamsplitter 56 a of the three beam generator 20receives the first portion 64 a and the second portion 64 b of thecollimated light beam 62 a at two incident surfaces 66 a/96, 68 a/94where one of the two incident surfaces 68 a/94 is truncated. Thebeamsplitter 56 a is arranged in relation to the light source 50 a sothat the third portion 64 c of the collimated light beam 62 a bypassesthe beamsplitter 56 a and passes through the truncated area 98.

The laser beam generating device 10 utilizes the laser light generator14 to generate up to five light beams along five directions which appearto originate from the common point 40. The laser light generator 14 usesa simple optics configuration for generating up to five light beamswhich have substantially equal power and strength. For example, thelaser light generator 14 uses standard components, such as a prism forthe beamsplitter 56. Thus, the cost of the laser beam generating device10 may be lower than other beam generating devices that require customcomponents.

In the example embodiment, the laser beam generating device 10 utilizesa prism having a truncated triangular configuration (beamsplitter 56).Alternatively, the laser beam generating device 10 may utilize a prismhaving a standard triangular configuration. For example, as shown inFIGS. 8-9C, the laser beam generating device 10 may utilize abeamsplitter 100. The beamsplitter 100 is a prism having a triangularcross-section, and is smaller in size than the beamsplitter 56, therebyfurther reducing the cost of the laser beam generating device 10.

Similar to the beamsplitter 56, the beamsplitter 100 has two incidentsurfaces (a first surface 102 and a second surface 104) orientated atforty five degrees with respect to the optical axis 25. With regard tothe three beam generator 20, as show in FIGS. 9A-9B, the first portion64 a of the collimated light beam 62 a is incident on the first surface102 a and is reflected by the first surface 102 a as the first outputbeam 70 a. The second portion 64 b of the collimated light beam 62 a isincident on the second surface 104 a and is reflected by the secondsurface 104 a as the second output beam 70 b. The beamsplitter 100 a isarranged such that the third portion 64 c of the collimated light beam62 a bypasses the beamsplitter 100 a and forms the third output beam 64c.

With regard to the two beam generator 22, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9C,the beamsplitter 100 b of the two beam generator 22 is arranged suchthat substantially all of the collimated light beam 62 b is incident ontwo incident surfaces. For example, the first portion 64 d of thecollimated light beam 62 b is incident on the first surface 102 b and isreflected by the first surface 102 b as the fourth output beam 70 c. Thesecond portion 64 e of the collimated light beam 62 b is incident on thesecond surface 104 b and is reflected by the second surface 104 b as thefifth output beam 70 d.

As another alternative, the laser light generator 14 may use reflectivemirrors instead of a prism as a beamsplitter. For example, withreference to FIGS. 10A-10C the laser light generator 14 utilizes abeamsplitter 110 having two incident surfaces (a first surface 112 and asecond surface 114) orientated at forty five degrees with respect to theoptical axis 25 (reference numbers 110, 112, and 114 are genericreferences to 110 a,b, 112 a,b, and 114 a,b shown in figures). Byutilizing reflective mirrors in lieu of a prism as the beamsplitter 110,the cost of the laser beam generating device 10 may be reduced.

The beamsplitter 110 functions in substantially the same manner as thebeamsplitter 56 and the beamsplitter 100. With regard to the three beamgenerator 20, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the beamsplitter 110 a ofthe three beam generator 20 is arranged such that some of the collimatedlight beam 62 a is incident to the beamsplitter 110 a and some of thecollimated light beam 62 a bypasses the beamsplitter 110 a. For example,the first portion 64 a of the collimated light beam 62 a is incident onthe first surface 112 a and is reflected from the first surface 112 a asthe first output beam 70 a. The second portion 64 b of the collimatedlight beam 62 a is incident on the second surface 114 a and is reflectedfrom the second surface 114 a as the second output beam 70 b. Thebeamsplitter 110 a is arranged such that the third portion 64 c of thecollimated light beam 62 a bypasses the beamsplitter 110 a, and is thethird output beam 64 c.

With regard to the two beam generator 22, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10C,the beamsplitter 110 b of the two beam generator 22 is arranged suchthat substantially all of the collimated light beam 62 b is incident onthe two incident surfaces. For example, the first portion 64 d of thecollimated light beam 62 b is incident on the first surface 112 b of thebeamsplitter 110 b and is reflected from the first surface 112 b as thefourth output beam 70 c. The second portion 64 e of the collimated lightbeam 62 b is incident on the second surface 114 b of the beamsplitter110 b and is reflected from the second surface 114 b as the fifth outputbeam 70 d.

Although the three beam generator 20 and the two beam generator 22 aredepicted as having the same beamsplitter, it would be appreciated by oneskilled in the art that different beamsplitters may be employed. Forexample, the three beam generator 20 may include the beamsplitter 56,whereas the two beam generator 22 may include the beamsplitter 100.

While in the example embodiment, the laser light generator 14 includesthe shaping member 54, it would be appreciated by one skilled in the artthat the shaping member 54 may be removed from the laser light generator14. Thus, further reducing the cost of laser beam generating device 10.

By employing the shaping member 54, the laser light generator 14generates output beams having a defined symmetrical cross-section. As analternative to the shaping member 54, the laser light generator 14 mayinclude a beamsplitter 120. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, anexample of the beamsplitter 120 is depicted as a prism having atriangular cross-section similar to the beamsplitter 100. Thebeamsplitter 120 has reflective and non-reflective properties. Moreparticularly, the beamsplitter 120 includes a film 124 havingnon-reflective properties disposed on a substantial portion of itssurface. In addition, the two incident surfaces of the beamsplitter 120include a reflective area 122 which may be, for example, a portion ofthe surface that does not include the film 124.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, as the collimated light beam 62 is incidenton the beamsplitter 120, portions of the collimated light beam 62 thatare incident on the reflective area 122 are output from the reflectivearea 122 as, for example, output beams 126. Conversely, portions of thecollimated light beam 62 that are incident on the film 124 are absorbedby the beamsplitter 120. In the example embodiment, the reflective area122 is circular in shape, thereby forming the output beams 126 with acircular cross-section.

By utilizing the beamsplitter 120, the laser light generator 14generates output beams with a defined cross-section without the use ofthe shaping member 54. It would be appreciated by one skilled in the artthat the reflective area 122 may have another shape and is not limitedto a circle as depicted in the figures. While the beamsplitter 120 isconfigured as a triangular prism similar to beamsplitter 100, thebeamsplitter 120, which has reflective and non-reflective properties,may have various suitable configurations, such as the beamsplitter 56,the beamsplitter 110, or other suitable configurations.

In the example embodiment, the shaping member 54 is arranged between thecollimating lens 52 and the beamsplitter 56. In an alternativeembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13-15, the laser light generator 14includes a shaping member 130. The shaping member 130 is disposed withinthe housing 12 and is posterior of the beamsplitter 56.

Similar to the shaping member 54, the shaping member 130 definesmultiple apertures 132. The shaping member 130 is positioned in relationwith the housing 12 and the beamsplitter 56, such that light is incidenton an interior surface of the shaping member 130. A portion of the lightexits from the apertures 132 of the shaping member 130 and the openings18 of the housing 12 as an output beam, and the remainder of the lightis blocked by the interior surface. The aperture 132 is sized such thatthe cross-sectional area of the aperture 132 is less than thecross-sectional area of the light reflected from the beamsplitter 56which is incident on the interior surface of the shaping member.Accordingly, the laser beam generating device 10 emits light beamshaving a defined symmetrical cross-section.

With regard to the three beam generator 20, a three-hole shaping member130 a is employed. The three-hole shaping member 130 a is aligned withthe beamsplitter 56 a to receive three intermediate portions of light.For example, the laser light generator 14 is configured such that afirst portion of the collimated light beam 62 a emitted from thecollimating lens 52 a is incident on the first surface 66 a of thebeamsplitter 56 a. The first portion of the collimated light beam 62 ais reflected by the first surface 66 a as a first intermediate portionof the collimated light beam 62 a. The first intermediate portion isincident on a first interior surface of the shaping member 130 a. Aportion of the first intermediate portion passes through its respectiveaperture 132 as an output beam 70 a, and the remaining portion of thefirst intermediate portion is blocked by the first interior surface ofthe shaping member 130 a.

Similarly, a second portion of the collimated light beam 62 a isincident on the second surface 68 a of the beamsplitter 56 a. The secondportion of the collimated light beam 62 a is reflected by the secondsurface 68 a as a second intermediate portion of the collimated lightbeam 62 a. The second intermediate portion is incident on a secondinterior surface of the shaping member 130 a. A portion of the secondintermediate portion passes through its respective aperture 132 as anoutput beam 70 b, and the remaining portion of the second intermediateportion is blocked by the second interior surface of the shaping member130 a. The aperture 132 for the second output beam 70 b is opposite ofthe aperture 132 for the first output beam 70 a.

After bypassing the beamsplitter 56 a, a third intermediate portion ofthe collimated light beam 62 a is incident on a third interior surfaceof the shaping member 130 a. A portion of the third intermediate portionpasses through its respective aperture 132 as an output beam 64 c, andthe remaining portion of the third intermediate portion is blocked bythe third interior surface of the shaping member 130 a.

With regard to the two beam generator 22, a two-hole shaping member 130b is employed. The two-hole shaping member 130 b is aligned with thebeamsplitter 56 b to receive the intermediate portions of light. Forexample, the laser light generator 14 is configured such that a firstportion of the collimated light beam 62 b emitted from the collimatinglens 52 b is incident on the first surface 66 b of the beamsplitter 56b. The first portion of the collimated light beam 62 b is reflected bythe first surface 66 b as a first intermediate portion of the collimatedlight beam 62 b. The first intermediate portion is incident on a firstinterior surface of the shaping member 130 b. A portion of the firstintermediate portion passes through its respective aperture 132 as anoutput beam 70 c, and the remaining portion of the first intermediateportion is blocked by the first interior surface of the shaping member130 b.

Similarly, a second portion of the collimated light beam 62 b isincident on the second surface 68 b of the beamsplitter 56 b. The secondportion of the collimated light beam 62 b is reflected by the secondsurface 68 b as a second intermediate portion of the collimated lightbeam 62 b. The second intermediate portion is incident on a secondinterior surface of the shaping member 130 b. A portion of the secondintermediate portion passes through its respective aperture 132 as anoutput beam 70 d, and the remaining portion of the second intermediateportion is blocked by the second interior surface of the shaping member130 b. The aperture 132 for the second output beam 70 d is opposite tothe aperture 132 for the first output beam 70 c.

While the shaping member (shaping member 54 and shaping member 130) isdepicted as one piece in the drawings, the shaping member may be made ofmultiple pieces. For example, shaping member 54A which defines threeapertures may include three pieces, where each piece defines oneaperture.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not precludethe presence or addition of one or more other features, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, and/or regions, these elements,components, and/or regions, should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as“first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do notimply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus,a first element, component, and/or region, discussed below could betermed a second element, component, and/or region, without departingfrom the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A laser beam generating device, comprising:a housing; a laser light generator disposed in the housing and operableto generate three output beams which project outside of the housing, thelaser light generator including a light source projecting light along anoptical axis toward a beamsplitter; a leveling mechanism on which thelaser light generator is disposed; a collimating lens interposed on theoptical axis between the light source and the beamsplitter; a shapingmember disposed between the collimating lens and the beamsplitter;wherein a first portion of the light from the light source is directedby the beamsplitter in a first direction; wherein a second portion ofthe light form the light source is directed by the beamsplitter in asecond direction, different than the first direction; wherein a thirdportion of the light from the light source passes alongside of thebeamsplitter, whereby the light bypasses the beamsplitter and travels ina third direction; wherein the shaping member separates the light fromthe light source into the first portion, the second portion and thethird portion; wherein the first direction is opposite the seconddirection and the first direction is at a ninety degree angle withrespect to the third direction.
 2. The laser beam generating device ofclaim 1, wherein the beamsplitter includes a first reflective portionwhich reflects the first portion to the first direction.
 3. The laserbeam generating device of claim 2, wherein the beamsplitter includes asecond reflective portion which reflects the second portion to thesecond direction.
 4. The laser beam generating device of claim 3,wherein the beamsplitter comprises a triangular prism with a truncatedportion and wherein the third portion bypasses the beam splitter bytraveling through the area where the prism is truncated.
 5. The laserbeam generating device of claim 1, wherein the leveling mechanismcomprises a chassis and a gimbal assembly.
 6. A laser beam generatingdevice, comprising: a housing; a laser light generator disposed in thehousing and operable to generate three output beams which projectoutside of the housing, the laser light generator including a lightsource projecting light along an optical axis toward a beamsplitter;wherein a first portion of the light from the light source is directedby the beamsplitter in a first direction; wherein a second portion ofthe light form the light source is directed by the beamsplitter in asecond direction, different than the first direction; and wherein athird portion of the light from the light source passes alongside of thebeamsplitter.
 7. The laser beam generating device of claim 6, furtherincluding a collimating lens interposed on the optical axis between thelight source and the beamsplitter.
 8. The laser beam generating deviceof claim 7, further comprising a shaping member disposed between thecollimating lens and the beamsplitter, wherein the shaping memberseparates the light from the light source into the first portion, thesecond portion and the third portion.
 9. The laser beam generatingdevice of claim 6, wherein the first direction is opposite the seconddirection.
 10. The laser beam generating device of claim 6, wherein thethird portion of the light continues travelling along the optical axisafter it passes alongside the beamsplitter.
 11. The laser beamgenerating device of claim 6, wherein the first direction is at a ninetydegree angle to the optical axis.
 12. The laser beam generating deviceof claim 11, wherein the second direction is at a ninety degree angle tothe optical axis.
 13. The laser beam generating device of claim 6,wherein the beamsplitter includes a first reflective portion whichreflects the first portion to the first direction.
 14. The laser beamgenerating device of claim 13, wherein the beamsplitter includes asecond reflective portion which reflects the second portion to thesecond direction.
 15. The laser beam generating device of claim 6,wherein the beamsplitter comprises a triangular prism with a truncatedportion and wherein the third portion bypasses the beam splitter bytraveling through the area where the prism is truncated.
 16. The laserbeam generating device of claim 6, further comprising a levelingmechanism, wherein the laser light generator is disposed on the levelingmechanism.
 17. The laser beam generating device of claim 16, wherein theleveling mechanism comprises a chassis and a gimbal assembly.
 18. Alaser beam generating device, comprising: a housing; a laser lightgenerator disposed in the housing and operable to generate three outputbeams which project outside of the housing, the laser light generatorincluding a light source projecting light along an optical axis toward abeamsplitter; a leveling mechanism on which the laser light generator isdisposed; a shaping member interposed on the optical axis between thelight source and the beamsplitter; wherein a first portion of the lightfrom the light source is directed by the beamsplitter in a firstdirection; wherein a second portion of the light form the light sourceis directed by the beamsplitter in a second direction, different thanthe first direction; wherein a third portion of the light from the lightsource passes alongside of the beamsplitter, whereby the light bypassesthe beamsplitter and travels in a third direction; wherein the shapingmember separates the light from the light source into the first portion,the second portion and the third portion; wherein the first direction isopposite the second direction and the first direction is disposed at aninety degree angle with respect to the third direction.
 19. The laserbeam generating device of claim 18, wherein the beamsplitter includes afirst reflective portion which reflects the first portion to the firstdirection; and wherein the beamsplitter includes a second reflectiveportion which reflects the second portion to the second direction. 20.The laser beam generating device of claim 19, wherein the levelingmechanism comprises a chassis and a gimbal assembly.